The American Dream

As the weeks roll on, the USF1 project seemingly has a leg to stand on. When I first heard about this project, I was definitely sceptical. Actually, I still am.

How many times has a new team project being floated around the media, only for them to disappear into oblivion. The most recent of which being Prodrive. A whole lot of singing and dancing came from David Richards. They even won the right for the tender for the then twelfth team on the grid. They should have being on the grid at the start of 2008, but the team failed to appear after the customer car row went against their ideals.

If this project had come up a couple of years ago, it would have made perfect sense. However, North America has lost both its races in recent years, leaving Formula One with no beachhead in the country. While there has been talk about a return, nothing is set in stone. The sport has failed to settle on a permanent home in the country, with no less than nine different circuits since the first championship race to the US in 1959.

Europeans are quick to criticise US motorsports and it is pretty much vica-versa on the other side of the pond. Formula One has hardly left with its head held high either. The lowest point of the sport’s most recent return to the States was 2005 United, where only six cars started due to tire issues. That been said, it wasn’t the first race in the US that ended with beer cans on the track!

Even as more details have been released about the USF1 project, it just sounded like a fantasy. They intend to set up in North Carolina, right in the heart of Nascar country. I question whether a Formula One team can work comfortably out of North America. Sure, there will be skilled people in the area, but not for the sport of Formula One.

That is why so many teams have set up shop in the United Kingdom. Teams have a readily supply of skilled labour on hand for whatever task is needed. Currently, only four of the eleven teams are based outside of the UK. Even when Toyota launched their F1 project, many questioned their decision to set up shop in Cologne.

Another component mentioned for the team is a desire for an all-American line-up. Much like the choice of base location, it is a head scratcher. US racers have a long history of failure in the sport. Mario Andretti stands as the only US national champion in Formula One’s history – and he was born in Italy. Since then, the sport has being littered with failed attempts. The most recent of these was Mario’s son, Michael, in 1993 and Scott Speed in 2006-07. Both left their respective teams before the end of their final seasons.

Immediately, Danica Patrick was linked with a seat. When I look at that possibility, I just think ‘PR stunt’. Danica is a good racer, but she has yet to firmly establish herself as a contender in the Indy Racing League. When you see that past US single-seater champions have struggled in Formula One, you have to question what hope Danica could have. I could be wrong, but, I’m sure I am not the only one thinking that.

A more respectable choice would be AJ Allmendinger. Should ‘Dinger not find himself a full season sponsorship to run in Nascar this year, an option to return to single-seaters might suit him. Although, given his growing potential in the stock car series, I can’t imagine him staying jobless for long. Unlike Franchitti, Villeneuve and Carpentier, Allmendinger seems settled for the long haul in Nascar.

I expect Marco Andretti, grand-son of ex-champion Mario, to be heavily linked in the coming months. Unlike Allmendinger and Patrick, Marco has tested a Formula One car and showed potential. As part of a racing dynasty, he would be the perfect face to lead the team as they attempt to conquer Formula One. He is taking part in A1 GP this year in an attempt to improve his road racing talents for the upcoming IRL season.

There is an air of confidence around not only the USF1 project leaders, but from elements of the F1 paddock that this could work. I will remain sceptical until we learn more. A soft drink tastes great while the fizz is still in it, but it doesn’t take long before it goes flat.